Our safety is in God’s hands these days—we had better not forget that.  Proverbs 29:25 says, “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.”  I trust in God fully, but I would be a fool not to be thankful for another person who keeps us safe.  This person is the American soldier.

Anyone that has ever had a friend or loved one deployed knows that that feels like to worry and pray over that person.  Our veterans and active military sacrifice much to keep us free, and we should be thankful for every one of them.  We should also faithfully pray for them.

We have several in our congregation that have served in the military.  Through the years, some of them have opened up to me about their experiences.  I have talked with soldiers in recent days that have nightmares every night and rarely get a good night’s sleep.  In spite of that, they are not sorry for keeping us free.  They would gladly do it again for freedom’s sake.

            Unlike many in other countries, I went to bed last night in perfect peace.  Other than trying to digest some late-night fast food, I slept fine and without worry of attack by foreign powers.   Much of that can be attributed to our brave soldiers and military that keep us safe.  Of course, as stated earlier, God is the ultimate safety in any situation. Psalms 4:8 says, “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.”

            I love the song we sang at our church that says, “My country, ‘tis of thee, Sweet land of liberty, Of thee I sing; Land where my fathers died, Land of the pilgrims’ pride, From every mountain-side Let freedom ring.”  The last verse tells us, “Our fathers’ God, to Thee, Author of liberty, To Thee we sing; Long may our land be bright With freedom’s holy light, Protect us by Thy might, Great God, our King.” I encourage you to thank a soldier for their sacrifice, and on your knees tonight to thank God for His ultimate sacrifice.  We are very blessed this Thanksgiving season. 

​Counting Blessings
I Thessalonians 5:18 says, “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” It seems more and more that people are unthankful.  In fact, it is more likely that you will hear people complaining today than being thankful.  All around us are blessings, yet often what gets singled out are the negatives in our lives.
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There is a song that we sing at church called, “Count Your Blessings.”  The words go like this, “Count your blessings, name them one by one.”  In my youth my mother changed it to “name them ton by ton.”  She was trying to teach that blessings are so abundant we are unable to name them all.
Is Thanksgiving season only about stuffing yourself with turkey, watching football or shopping?  It should be a reminder of all that we have to be thankful for.  Today, we woke up in a free country.  Many people around the world did not.  Our blessings include warm beds, central air and heat, and full shelves at the grocery store.  We have churches to attend with padded chairs and people who love us. 

If we start numbering the blessings of our lives instead of the curses, we will find that our spirit raises to a new level.  Let us all plan more thanksgiving this week.  It truly is a mindset that will change our lives.
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Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, “For each new morning with its light, for rest and shelter of the night, for health and food, for love and friends, for everything Thy goodness sends.  For flowers that bloom about our feet; for tender grass, so fresh, so sweet; for song of bird, and hum of bee; for all things fair we hear or see. Father in heaven, we thank Thee!”

Psalm 42:1 says, “As the hart (deer) panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.” November 2nd is the opening of deer season for many folks and is eagerly anticipated by hunters of all ages.  Someone said this: “Roses are red, violets are blue, attention all deer, I’m coming for you!”

Some folks across the country think that East Texans don’t appreciate nature because we hunt, fish, and cut trees, but for most of us, nothing could be further from the truth.  Psalm 8:8-9 says, “The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth.”

Natural beauty surrounds us everywhere we look. We may not have the incredible fall foliage of areas north and east of us, but we have a lot of other beautiful sights here in this area. It is worthy of a prayer of thanksgiving lifted from a hunting stand on a fall weekend. Psalm 116:12 says, “What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me?”

The question is are you as excited about Jesus as you are your new bow or hunting stand?  Will you skip church Sunday to chase after that trophy buck?  This one Sunday in a Bible teaching church is worth more than all the deer that will gather around your feeder or food plot.

Enjoy your time hunting this Saturday, but do not forget how important the Lord is.  Without Him hunting would be impossible.  I wear camouflage but my faith should never be hidden.  Romans 1:16 says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.”
 

A recent survey asked Americans what they would do for $10 million dollars.  Some said they would abandon all their friends.  Some alleged they would murder a stranger or withhold evidence so a murderer could go free.  Many responded they would give up their citizenship, and a few reported they would even have a sex-change operation.

You can almost feel the greed of these people who answered the survey’s questions.  If they were willing to do all these things to get some money, you know they would not be very generous with it.  Someone said this, “While it is more blessed to give than receive, most are willing to let someone else get the blessing.”

II Corinthians 9:7 tells us, “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”  The Bible tells the Christian to give joyfully and generously.

Generous giving is a genuine form of worship. King David said: “What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits towards me?” Giving is an amazing way of showing our love to God and seeing how He uses us to impact others. When we give, our attitude transforms. 

It is true that you can’t take it anything with you when you die, but you can send it on ahead. Every time we give, we are investing in heavenly rewards that will last forever.

The Bible teaches that if you have material possessions and you see a brother or sister in need and have no pity, how can the love of God be in you?  It is not hard to find people with greater needs than we have, so where is our heart directing us to give? Generous actions speak louder than words.

There is no doubt that there are great doctors, but there are always some who could be considered worthless.  Almost everyone could mention a name who they could put into the bad doctor category.  Maybe they are worthless in your eyes because of poor treatment, high prices, misdiagnosis, or long waits. Someone recently mentioned that they could burn their money and get more use than spending it at their doctor.  “At least I could get a little heat."

Job 13:4 talks about worthless doctors: “But ye are forgers of lies, ye are all physicians of no value.” It is a helpless feeling to feel cheated by the one who should give comfort and healing. 

If you face defeat and depression about the treatment you are receiving, or hurt from loss or addiction, there is good news.  Jesus is the “Great Physician” who cares for you spiritually and physically. 

Jesus said in Luke 4:18, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.”

Jesus will never overcharge, and He will always give the right diagnosis.  He knows the cure!  He is readily available and is just one simple prayer away.  There is no waiting room, and no one must wait for an audience with the Great Physician!

Luke 5:31-32 says, “And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”  The Great Physician is looking for new patients—He will never turn you away.  Will you visit Him today?

Most people believe they are better listeners than they really are.  Often friends are just waiting for you to take a breath so they can share their own words which are much more important. John Wayne put it this way, “People are short on ears and long on mouth.”

Proverbs 1:5 says, “A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels.”  This verse tells us that a smart person will be a listening to other smart people to improve themselves. 

It is possible to hear someone talk but not listen. One of the primary reasons given for failed relationships is the lack of listening.  Two men were talking one day in front of the grocery store.  One of them said, “My wife talks to herself a lot.”  His friend answered, “Mine does too, but she doesn’t know it.  She thinks I’m listening.”

Don’t be too proud to listen to people who want to help you be a better person.  This is wisdom, and a sensible person will gladly hear wisdom.  Proverbs 23:9 says, “Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.” 

Listening is a key ingredient of church attendance.  A wise person would stop sneaking peeks at their social media pages or checking sports scores and pay attention to the speaker.  Unfortunately, church goers are often more excited about the benediction than the opening prayer.  What did your pastor share last Sunday?

Don’t be like the people in Zechariah 7:11: “But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear.”  Jesus said, “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” How about we all work on our listening skills this week.



 
 
 

John Sermon Series #27
John 12:23-33

I. Fulfilled Time of Calling
Vs 23-24

1. Time of Honor

     2. Time of Heartache

     3. Time of Harvest

II. Fruitful Testimony of the Christian
25-26

     1. Testimony to Service

     2. Testimony of Surrender

     3. Testimony of Significance

III. Faithful Tribute of Christ
 vs 28
     1. The Revelation

     2. The Reason

    3. The Results

Labor Ways for Labor Day
John Sermon Series #25
John 12:1-3

Our story is set six days before the Passover in Bethany (2 miles from Jerusalem).  This was the town where Lazarus was just raised and this great miracle had happened.  The area was still in a stir of excitement. 

I. Martha Labored in Service
It seems that Lazarus attending attracted above average interest in this gathering, and so the need for service was great.  Martha gave her services to waiting tables.

1. Labored Faithfully

1 Corinthians 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
 
Proverbs 16:3 - Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.
 
Proverbs 20:6 Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?
 
I had rather have someone that just works than someone who talks about working.

2. Labored Frugally

Prov 18:9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
          
Proverbs 21:5 - The thoughts of the diligent [tend] only to plenteousness; but of every one [that is] hasty only to want.

3. Labored Fervently

Romans 12:11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
 
Colossians 3:23 - And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
 
Psalms 100:2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Your joy and gladness will show up in your work.

II. Lazarus Lived in Service
Lazarus showed up and things changed.

1. Our Living should affect the Conversation

John 12:9 Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.
 
Lazarus’s life testimony was the talk of the town.
Does your life affect the talk in a positive way?

1. Our Living should affect our Companions

There was no doubt that Lazarus affected those around him.

1. Family was affected
Martha was serving tables because of Lazarus.
Mary was giving gifts because of Lazarus.
 
Your family will be affected by the decisions you make for Jesus Christ.
 
Joshua 4:21-24 And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones? Then ye shall let your children know, saying, Israel came over this Jordan on dry land. For the LORD your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red sea, which he dried up from before us, until we were gone over: That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the LORD your God for ever.
 
2.  Friends were affected
People came from everywhere to attend. They had heard about what God had done with Lazarus, and wanted to see for themselves.
If you tell about Jesus and what He is doing in your life, it will affect your friends.It has too.
 

3.  Foes were affected.
Judas was upset at how the money was being spent on the worship time.
 
The Pharisees were worked up and upset.
John 12:19 The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.
 
Philippians 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

2. Our Living should affect the Cause
Words cannot begin to describe how much the living of Lazarus affected the cause of Christ.
 
John 12:13-19 Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt. These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him. The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record. For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle. The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.
 
Is your life affecting the cause of Christ?
1 Samuel 17:29 And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?
 
1 Peter 4:6 For for this cause was the gospel preached ….. and live according to God in the spirit.
 
Psalms 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
 
III. Mary Loved in Service

Love adds a whole new dimension on your service.
Deuteronomy 6:5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
 
The love than shows from the heart of Mary as she takes her expensive ointment (probably the most valuable stuff she owned) and used her hair to wipe his feet. Everyone noticed, because the smell filled the room.

1. Love disregards the Price

One of our members told me recently about medicine that was so expensive. He told me that he did not care how much it cost as long as it made a difference for the one he loves.

Do we love the church?
Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
 
Do we love sinners?
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
 
Do we love missions?
Matthew 9:38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
 
We need to fall in love with Jesus and fall out of love with self.

2. Love is not Proud
  
Proverbs 29:23 A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
 
True love will humble you.
 
1 Peter 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
 
1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

3. Love has a Presence

The smell filled the room.
Everyone stopped and noticed this act of love.
Mary’s love filled up the place.
 
If our church has love—people will notice.
 
If your family has love—people will know.
 
1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

4. Love has a Proof

No doubt at all of her dedication.
Her love is a powerful reminder today.
 
Luke 11:42 But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
 
Micah 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
 
Psalms 26:2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.
 

                 So much is said today about loving the Lord, but loving God extends beyond mere verbal assent.  We need to realize that love is expressed most clearly in our actions.  Men, your wife or girlfriend like to hear that they are loved, but if you never show it, they will cease to believe what they are hearing.  The love for God in a Christian will make a child of God do many things for the cause of Christ.

                Love for Christ produces faithfulness.  Many believers who say they love God but then rarely show up to worship Him at His house.  If I rarely come home to my wife, she is not going to feel like I truly love her, and if I rarely show up at church, the same can be said about my love for Jesus.  We should be faithful in our walk for God as well as our witnessing about God.  Love produces faithfulness.

                Love for Christ produces fellowship.  The more love that I have for Jesus Christ, the more I will want to fellowship with Him.  Revelation 3:20, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”  If I fall in love with Jesus, I will also enjoy the company of those that also love Jesus.  I John 4:20, “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?”

                Love for Christ produces fullness in our joy.  I know from personal experience that the closer I get to Jesus, the more joyful I become.  You cannot draw close to the Man of Peace without experiencing peace!  My challenge for this week is not just to talk about our love for God, but to go out and show that love in our walk.  Whenever you see a young man or young woman in love, it always affects their actions.  They want to be around the one they love all the time. Our world needs some Christians that will so fall in love with Jesus that their actions are changed. 

Happy Valentine's Day!